HEALTH and safety officials failed to carry out follow-up inspections or enforce their own orders at the Maryhill factory where nine people died in an explosion.

A public inquiry into the disaster also heard yesterday that the firm which ran ICL Plastics ignored an order to install a sprinkler above a tank containing liquid petroleum gas.

It also defied a ban on using a basement - where the gas built up - as a work space.

A prohibition notice was sent from HM Inspector of factories in 1976, informing Stockline Plastics, part of the wider group of related firms which operate from the Maryhill site, that using the room was dangerous.

It stated: "The use of the basement as a storeroom or workroom will involve serious risk of serious personal injury."

But for years after, it was used by the firm's builders as their store for materials and tools.

Inquiry Counsel Roy Martin asked Health and Safety Executive (HSE) principal inspector Alistair Keddie, who visited the site in 1988, if he was aware of the notice.

He replied: "Not until I was shown it recently."

The firm was also told after a visit by a HSE inspector in 1982 that it should install a water spray system above the LPG tank.

In December 1982, a memo was sent from ICL Plastics to HSE stating the materials were in the factory and the work would be done over Christmas.

But the safety measure was never put in place. The inquiry was shown a memo from ICL owner Campbell Downie six years later to his managing director Mr Stott.

It said: "I resist the notion a drench system should be installed. We do not have a sufficient water supply and the cost would be enormous."

A handwritten note on the memo, added: "We must try to talk them out of the drench but that's difficult this time round."

The inquiry was also told how an inspector discovered visits to check LPG tank recommendations were not followed up six years later.

Mr Keddie said files show he was passed the ICL file in 1988 and was preparing for a visit when he checked back on the case history.

Mr Martin asked if he could offer an explanation why no follow up visit took place until 1988. He said: "I am afraid I can't. I have no idea."

The inquiry before Lord Gill continues.